A few more Yosemite photos

Here are a few more favorite scenes from Yosemite National Park: The Grizzly Giant sequoia tree, a rainbow at the foot of Vernal Fall, and looking back toward Half Dome from the Tioga Road on the way to Tuolumne Meadows. The last one is a view towards Yosemite Valley from Tunnel View where we stopped for one last view of the valley as we were driving back to exit the park.

 

Yosemite Re-visited

When I talk about the National Parks in the U. S. with friends I usually mention that I think there are 3 that are unique in the world solely due to their natural splendor and the awe-inspiring handiwork of God on display there: those 3 are the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Yosemite.  Until last week I had only had occasion to spend a single day at Yosemite, in the Yosemite valley during winter when much of the park was closed due to snow. This time I, along with 3 family members, had a chance to spend about 5 days there in summer when the park was fully open, and this trip confirmed to me that indeed this is one of those 3 special places that all Americans should visit if they possibly can.

There are no doubt many other beautiful and awe-inspiring places in the world, most of which I will never visit. Yet, we know from those who do travel the world that the giant sequoias, the unique granite formations like Half Dome, and the dramatic waterfalls like Bridal Veil and Yosemite Falls are very, very special in the natural world. One thing that strikes me as I go through the Yosemite Valley is not just the uniqueness of specific features but the concentration of so many of them in a small area. With Bridal Veil Fall, Yosemite Falls (upper and lower), Vernal Fall, and Nevada Fall all close together in the valley, along with the giant formations of El Capitan, Half Dome, and the 3 Brothers all located in close proximity to each other the combined effect is literally jaw-dropping. The grand old hotel in the valley, the Ahwahnee, is named after the native American name for the valley  from the Miwok tribe which is said to mean ‘land of the gaping mouth’.  I agree: my mouth drops open reflexively when I drive through the valley and find one dramatic scene after another, a new one seemingly around every bend in the road.

While there we had a chance to do a day hike to Vernal Fall and part way to Nevada Fall. Above is a photo of Vernal Fall looking down from the John Muir trial. Below is a view from Glacier Point overlooking these 2 falls and Half Dome.  These are a small sampling of the many breathtaking scenes in the park. As I looked at both of these scenes I was reminded of Peter’s comment on the mount of transfiguration when he suggested building 3 tabernacles and just staying there! I do find it to be a place that is hard to leave, and I can appreciate why John Muir was so adamant in seeking to get the park expanded beyond just the valley to protect this amazing place.

The first time I saw it for a single day I knew that I needed to go back to spend more time there. Having re-visited it, I am even more convinced that this spot is unique and well worth the effort to go see it.